If travelers haven't experienced them, they've heard all about the beautiful jungles and rainforests that occupy the world. Some are open for tourists and locals alike to explore and take in their beauty, while others are so remote that they've been untarnished by humans. In some of the most beautiful places in the corners of the Earth lie virtually untouched jungles that are difficult to get to or just haven't been found yet. There are also lush and green rainforests that hold unique and endangered species that are so precious, it's a good thing locals have been successful in keeping these areas in the down-low.
Like the oceans and the mountain tops around us, the amount of unexplored area around us is plentiful. Of course, we'd want to see them for ourselves, but some things are best to remain uninfluenced and to stay just the way it is. The 10 locations below are the most uninhibited and untouched jungles and rainforests in the world.
10 Atop Mount Lico In Mozambique Lies A Hidden Rainforest, Protected By A Steep Circle Of Rock
Some rainforests are simply unexplored, but until recently, Mount Lico was hiding a secret rainforest. Protected by a steep circle of rock 700 meters above the plain, the mountain was known to locals, but to outsiders, it looked like just a rock. In fact, this is the only rainforest that was undiscovered in Africa, making it a very special finding. This is dubbed as one of the best views in the country, as well as the world, due to its height and location. As recent as 2018, researchers planned an expedition to scale this undisturbed forest and found pots placed in certain spots by locals for religious reasons.
9 The Son Doong Cave In Vietnam Has Its Own Jungle That Wasn't Explored Until 2010
There is a handful of amazing places to visit in Vietnam and the Son Doong Cave in Vietnam is one of them. Son Doong Cave houses the largest cave passage in the world. This intricate cave system was created by water that percolated from another rainforest above. Inside the cave is a lush jungle, which has grown around 200 meters below ground level in the area where the cave has most collapsed. Although this part of the cave is dubbed dangerous, there is an impressive eco-system that grows through the pathways that are risky to pass through.
8 The Sinharaja Forest Reserve In Sri Lanka Has Limited Tourism Due To Rough Terrain
Although this forest is highly recognized, the rough terrain and dense vegetation that runs through it isn't forgiving. The biodiversity that remains within the reserve is impressive as Sinharaja is Sri Lanka's last viable tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees within the forest are endemic and a lot of them are considered rare. What's even better is that it was saved in 1978 from commercial logging and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve.
7 The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest In Uganda Is Home To Half The Planet's Endangered Gorillas
This forest is a large primeval forest in southwestern Uganda, in the Kanungu District. This park houses many types of birds and butterflies, as well as half of the endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. Beyond that, it's also known for its exceptional biodiversity, with over 160 species of trees and about 100 species of ferns. These precious plants and animals are closely watched by the local community and benefit to keeping these natural wonders safe.
6 The Lacandon Jungle In Mexico Is Home To Some Of Central America's Most Incredible Archaeological Mayan Sites
Stretching 10,766 acres from Chiapas, Mexico, into Honduras and the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Lacandon Jungle is Mexico's largest rainforest. It's home to the Lacandon indigenous tribe and is known for the diversity of flora. There are beautiful rivers that bend through the Lacandon as well as lakes and waterfalls that surround the Maya ruins. It also contains over 1,000 tree species, 33% of all Mexican bird species, 25% of all Mexican animal species, 56% of all Mexican butterflies, and 16% of all Mexico's fish species.
5 The Daintree National Park In Australia Has The Oldest Ecosystem In The World
This specific rainforest in Queensland, Australia has a very important historical part of the world. The Daintree Rainforest has weaved in and out of centuries upon centuries and has still remained a beautiful sight to see. The rainforest is estimated to be 180 million years old, which is tens of millions of years older than the Amazon Rainforest.
The Daintree has found itself right at the edge of the sea, combining two pieces of nature into one. Over 30% of the reptile species in Australia reside here, as well as 90% of the continent's bat and butterfly species.
4 The Danum Valley In Borneo Has Avoided Destruction And Is Home To Some Of The Rarest Wild Animals In The World
Borneo is home to incredible and incomparable forests and wildlife, but one of the highlights lies in Danum Valley. This specific forest is 140 million years old, making it one of the oldest in the world. Almost 170,000 acres of the island's Danum Valley is thankfully being protected from purposeful fires that paves the way for palm oil plantations. To put things into perspective, this area contains one percent of the world's landmass and six percent of the earth's biodiversity.
3 The Amazon Rainforest In Brazil Has The Most Diverse Ecosystems That Scientists Are Still Trying To Uncover
The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most well-known in the world. This rainforest is the largest on Earth, spanning across nine South American countries and has the highest density of plant and animal species anywhere. This region provides us with essential ecological services and stabilizes the world's rainfall patterns, which in turn stores massive amounts of carbon that ultimately controls climate change. Some would say this rainforest should be left 'untouched' and only explored when needed.
2 Papa New Guinea Is Covered In 70% Of Rainforest And Is One Of The Least Explored In the World
Papua New Guinea s counted as one of the most rural and less traveled places in the world. Some scientists believe that a lot of the world's unknown plant and animal species exist in 70% of the land the jungle covers throughout this country. It might be best that some things are left undiscovered and they very well might be because of the rough terrain most of these areas have and legal systems within the country keeping further research at bay, too.
1 The Seychelles Jungle In Africa Has The Largest Percentage Of Land Under Conservation In the World
Unfortunately today, precious pieces of the Earth need extensive protection, including the Seychelles Jungle in Africa. Just about 50% of the island's nation is preserved and because of that, the beaches and jungle are extremely well taken care of. This area also is known for sightings on the national bird, the Seychelles black parrot. Because Seychelles is so protected, few visitors get to experience this beauty in real life.